Changing your computer's name is a straightforward task that takes about five minutes

Your computer has a name that identifies it on your home network and in system settings. This name appears when you share files, connect to printers, or set up remote access. You can change it whenever you want — whether you're replacing an old name, setting up a new machine, or just giving it something that makes sense to you.

The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both are straightforward enough to do yourself without calling for help. You'll need administrator access to your account, and your computer will ask you to restart after you make the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows computers are renamed through Settings > System > About, where you click "Rename this PC" and type the new name.
  • Mac computers are renamed through System Settings > General, where you click the Edit button next to the computer name at the top.
  • Your computer name can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #.
  • After you change the name, your computer will restart, and the new name takes effect when ready once it boots back up.
  • Changing the name does not affect your files, programs, or user account — it only changes how the computer identifies itself.

How to rename a Windows computer

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About.

On the About page, you'll see your current computer name listed under "Device name." Click the blue Rename this PC button. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete it and type your new name. Computer names can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters. Click Next, then Rename to confirm.

Windows will ask you to restart your computer. You can restart now or choose to restart later — the new name won't take effect until you restart. When your computer boots back up, the new name is active.

How to rename a Mac computer

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General. At the top of the window, you'll see your computer name next to a small computer icon.

Click the Edit button (it looks like a pencil) next to your computer name. A text box will appear. Delete the current name and type the new one. Mac names follow the same rules as Windows — letters, numbers, and hyphens only, no spaces or special characters. Click Done to save the change.

Your Mac will explore the new name when ready without requiring a restart, though you may notice a brief delay in some network services recognizing the change.

Rules for choosing a computer name

Your computer name should be something you'll recognize and that identifies the machine clearly. Many people use names like "Living-Room-Mac" or "Office-Desktop" to distinguish between multiple computers on the same network. Others use their own name or a straightforward descriptor.

Avoid spaces and special characters — your computer will reject them. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you try to use a space or symbol like @, #, or !, the system will show an error message and ask you to choose a different name. Keep it reasonably short so it's straightforward to type if you ever need to reference it in network settings.

What happens when you change your computer's name

Changing the name affects only how your computer identifies itself to your network and in system settings. Your files remain exactly where they are, your programs continue to work normally, and your user account is unaffected. The change is purely cosmetic from the perspective of what's stored on your machine.

If you share folders or printers on your network, other computers may take a few minutes to recognize the new name. If you've set up remote access or cloud backup services, they may need a moment to update as well. In most cases, everything reconnects automatically within a few minutes.

Renaming a computer that's part of a workplace network

If your computer is connected to a company network or domain, you may not have permission to change the name yourself. Your IT department controls the naming scheme for security and inventory reasons. If you try to rename a domain-connected computer and get an error message, contact your IT support team — they can change it for you or explain why the name is locked.

Home networks and personal computers have no such restrictions, so you can rename them freely.

Troubleshooting a failed rename

If you see an error message when trying to rename your computer, the most common cause is that you used a character the system doesn't allow. Delete any spaces, special characters, or symbols and try again with only letters, numbers, and hyphens.

If the error persists, make sure you're logged in with an administrator account. On Windows, right-click Settings and check that it says "Run as administrator." On Mac, System Settings will ask for your password when you click Edit — if it doesn't, you may not have admin rights. If you're unsure whether your account has administrator access, contact whoever set up the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my computer name to anything I want?

You can use letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters. Names can be up to 63 characters long. If your computer is part of a workplace network, your IT department may have restrictions on what names are allowed.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the name?

Windows requires a restart for the new name to take effect. Mac applies the change when ready without restarting. You can delay the Windows restart if you're in the middle of something, but the new name won't be active until you do restart.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, programs, and user account remain unchanged. The computer name is only used to identify your machine on a network and in system settings.

What if I forget my computer's name?

On Windows, go to Settings > System > About and look under "Device name." On Mac, go to System Settings > General and look at the top of the window. You can also see it in network settings or by asking Siri.

Can I change my computer name back to the original?

Yes, anytime. Follow the same steps and type the old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.